Beating world champion New Zealand gave Ireland "reassurance," lock Iain Henderson said on Monday. Two days after toppling the All Blacks 16-9 for the first time at home, Henderson said the team's prime motivation was not to be a one-win wonder.

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi was cleared to play against Wales on Saturday after World Rugby decided the flanker used only "moderate force" when headbutting Scotland center Peter Horne in the face in a match at the weekend.

Ireland is No. 1. At least to New Zealand coach Steve Hansen. His All Blacks, the undisputed No. 1 for nine years, lost to the Irish 16-9 on Saturday for the first time in Dublin. Hansen immediately dubbed Ireland the favorite for the Rugby World Cup next year.

Wales scored three tries in the first 11 minutes before adding seven more in a rampant second-half display to thrash Tonga 74-24 in a rugby international in Cardiff and seal an eighth straight victory on Saturday.

For the second week in a row, the Manu Samoa has been left wondering how on earth they lost. Georgia rode a 17-0 second half comeback to turn over Samoa 27-19 at home in Tbilisi. They took an early lead after a penalty from an attacking lineout gave them a kick for goal in the third minute.

Samoa were good value for their 45-56 win against Papua New Guinea in the opening game of the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship. They dominated set pieces and the collisions, but some poor kick defence and mistakes let Papua New Guinea stay in the game.

Manu Samoa technical advisor Chris Latham feels “immensely encouraged” ahead of the game against Georgia in Tbilisi tomorrow morning. Despite a heartbreaking 30-29 loss to USA on the first game of the Northern Hemisphere Tour, Latham said there’s a fantastic mood in the Manu Samoa camp.

Undisputed world cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk successfully defended his four belts and sent Tony Bellew into retirement by knocking out the British fighter in the eighth round in Manchester on Saturday.

The Samoa Basketball Federation started its four-day tournament at Apia Park gym earlier this week. The various categories competing in the tournament include open women and men, Under 17 and 14 boys, girls’ teams from Upolu, Savaii and an open men’s team from American Samoa.